Subtract 16/12 from 5/40
1st number: 5/40, 2nd number: 1 4/12
5/40 - 16/12 is -29/24.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 12 is 120
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 120 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 3 = 120,
5/40 = 5 × 3/40 × 3 = 15/120 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 10 = 120,
16/12 = 16 × 10/12 × 10 = 160/120 - Subtract the two like fractions:
15/120 - 160/120 = 15 - 160/120 = -145/120 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -29/24
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 10/40-16/12 5/40-32/12 5/80-16/12 5/40-16/24 15/40-16/12 5/40-48/12 5/40-16/36 25/40-16/12 5/40-80/12 5/40-16/60 35/40-16/12 5/40-16/84